Greenwich Seeks To Establish New Dog Park In Town

GREENWICH, CT — Four-legged furry companions in Byram could soon have a new place to play in the neighborhood thanks to a proposal from the town's Parks & Recreation Department for a new dog park.

Parks & Rec. Director Joe Siciliano appeared before the Board of Selectmen last week to get the ball rolling on the process of establishing the 11,000-square-foot facility, which would be located in the rear of Byram Park alongside Ritch Avenue on a small swath of land.

The proposal needs to be finalized and then go through various approval processes, notably through the Board of Selectmen, Board of Health, Planning & Zoning, and the Representative Town Meeting.

The selectmen didn't approve any plans last week. However, they gave Siciliano and Parks & Rec. staff the green light to continue with their work.

"There's a bunch of things we need to do. At some point, if we get those green lights, we will come back," Siciliano told the selectmen.

According to the current proposal, work would include the installation of an access gate, a 50-foot fence to secure pool/beach access, a seasonal water connection, a pet waste station, signage, repairing of a damaged stone wall and site restoration which includes seeding and tilling.

"Our whole point is to not throw metal fences all around there and make it look horrible. It's a beautiful area," First Selectman Fred Camillo said.

Camillo noted the park would primarily be "a walk-up park" for Byram residents.

"What we find with dog parks, our dog park and ones in Rye, Port Chester, Rowayton, Norwalk... They tend to be neighborhood parks with people walking up there. People usually don't travel far for a dog park, unlike pickleball," he said.

No on-street parking would be available. Primary parking would be the eight existing parking spaces at the Byram Park entrance. One ADA parking space would be added next to the dog park entrance for immediate and easy access.

If the eight spots at the entrance are full, patrons can use the Byram Park lot and walk to the dog park.

The total estimated cost is $30,000, the proposal notes. Pet Pantry Warehouse, a beloved business in town, had previously pledged $30,000 to establish a dog park in Glenville, but the idea was ditched after residents voiced concerns over the proposal.

Camillo mentioned that Pet Pantry would donate a $30,000 gift for the Byram dog park.

Siciliano said the idea for a Byram dog park came from some community members who voiced support for such a facility, and Camillo added that the Byram Neighborhood Association gave their blessing to move forward.

Siciliano acknowledged that the area "has some advantages and disadvantages."

Selectwoman Lauren Rabin said she had concerns with parking.

"It's not the ideal situation parking-wise, but there isn't an ideal situation that we've looked at," Siciliano responded.

He noted that officials will be "cognizant of the aesthetics" and the way the area currently looks.

"I think there are a lot of great features there now that would help us manage the area for the dogs and also for the residents," Siciliano said. "I think there are a few things we need to accomplish. This is a lot of work to do this, and I just want to make sure the Board of Selectmen can give us an endorsement so we can spend our time wisely in moving this project forward and seeing what the end result is."